Former MLAs received more than $400K in severance
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
WINNIPEG — Former Manitoba politicians who have retired or were defeated in the 2023 election received more than $400,000 in severance and transition payments in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
A report from the legislative assembly says the top recipient was former premier Heather Stefanson, who resigned her legislature seat in the spring of last year and received $96,000.
Politicians who quit or lose their seats are entitled to severance or transition payments under a formula set in provincial law.
They receive one month’s pay for every year served, with a minimum three months’ pay and a maximum of 12 months.
That means Stefanson, who held a legislature seat for 23 years, is entitled to the same severance as someone who served 12 years.
The money is aimed partly at helping politicians transition to new careers, often after a sudden election loss.
The money is also available to politicians who quit voluntarily to run for federal office such as Grant Jackson, a Progressive Conservative in western Manitoba who received $2,000 in the fiscal year that ended in March of this year.
Jackson resigned his Spruce Woods seat that month and was elected to the House of Commons a month later in the Brandon-Souris riding.
The money can be taken as a lump sum or spread out in biweekly instalments.
Progressive Conservatives Reg Helwer, who represented Brandon West, and Ian Wishart, who held the Portage la Prairie seat, collected more than $100,000 each over the two fiscal years as long-serving members, the reports say.
» The Canadian Press